Thread: hard to start

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I have a 78 460 with 68 heads that have been ported with oversize valves. the engine has been balanced. it has a wieand high rise intake, a holly carb that has been rebuilt to an 875 cfm, 655/655 cam. roller rockers. it started once for about 40 sec, we shut if off and haven't been able to start it again. i put new plugs in it again. (may be a problem, might not be hot enough no one seems to know how hot i should get) it has an hei distributor. the starter is an old one off another truck, it doesn't spin very fast maybe this my problem?
hopfully someone can help i am getting fustrated! thanks for the help.
Jim e-mail me direct if you wish (carbies@comcast.net)

Jim,

Start with the obvious: can you confirm that you still have an ignition spark? Getting fuel? Get back to us with this info or enlighten us on what you have checked out already.

Paul

if you have spark and fuel try turning the engine by hand if it seems reasonable then maybe try replacing the starter...... if it seems a little overly tight then check external problems first such as a binding flexplate....

Make sure that the engine is grounded properly. I know this sounds simple, but the "Brain Boxes" (Electronic Ignition Modules) on some of those burned out really quickly without a good ground.

My 74 Ford went through 3 of them before we figured it out.

Good luck!


edited for random dyslexia of the fingers.

I have checked the spark it is good, getting plenty of fuel, (maybe too much?), the engine turns pretty easy by hand, we have checked the timing numerous times. ihave orderd a high torque mini starter and i will check the ground. i will let you know what i find and how good the starter works.
thanks.....

Put on the new mini high torque starter double checked the timming put on a super coil. got plenty of spark now check all plugs. almost started. after we try to start it and leave it set for approx 2 min and try to start again, it starts for only a couple seconds. it will do this continually. going to change to a smaller carb to start with. what do you all think. could it be the fuel pump its new but only stock. thanks for the help!

You say it runs only a couple of seconds. Does it start and run only as long as the switch is in the "start" position then die when the key is released?

changed the carb to a 750cfm, then removed the distrib. and moved it a couple of gears over, could not adjust anymore it would hit the intake while it was almost starting. then she fired right up. thanks for all the help guys. i will post some pics of new engine in the truck when im finished.

have you checked the valves to see if they are tight

the engine wont start agin after the first and only time that is did awhile back. i think the cam is to big. 655. we went with a 600 cfmm carb and still have to pump the crap out of it.. thenn whennn we let it sit it tries to fies but no go.. have double and triple checked the timig and have spark numorus caps coils etc. any onne have any ideas before i get a smaller cam. the guy i got it fromm was going to use this a slead pulling truck and put this humongus camm inn there..
thannks....

a humongous cam gets rid of low end power..... and also requires more compression to get her to start.... the cam may just be your problem i understand why you wouldn't want to pull the cam though.... fords are always such a pain when it comes to taking the timing cover off

I seriously doubt the camshaft's profile is the reason that your engine won't start. Do a cranking compression test.

Paul

150 is what the compression says. is there somthing else that it would be?
got me puzzled

we where also thinking that there might be a resistor of some type on the 59 ford that would be making the spark not get as much power?

Run a hot line from the + battery post to the coil and try it again.